Select Size: Stand over the
top of your bicycle–there should be 1-2 inches of clearance between you
and the tube (bar) and 5 inches of clearance if riding a mountain bike.

Adjust seat height—with a foot
on the pedal, the fully extended leg should have a slight bend.

Check all parts of the bicycle
to make sure they are secure and working well:

Handlebars should be firmly in
place and turn easily.

Wheels must be straight and
secure; quick release wheels must be secured (see your owner’s manual).

Brakes need adjusting by an
experienced technician if: you cannot stop quickly; you apply the hand
brake levers and they touch the handlebars; the brake pads are worn
unevenly or they are separated more than one-eighth of an inch from the
rim.

3. Ride Wisely. Learn and
Follow the Rules of the Road.

Bicyclists are considered
vehicles on the road and must follow traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles.

Know your traffic laws found
in the State drivers’ licensing handbook.

Signal in advance of a turn;
use correct hand signals so others can anticipate your actions.

Yield to pedestrians and other
vehicles, as appropriate.

If you choose to ride on a
sidewalk, take extra caution at driveways and other intersections.

Check for traffic by looking
left-right-left before entering a street.

Control your speed by using
your brakes. If your bicycle has hand brakes, apply the rear brakes
slightly before the front brakes.

4. Be Predictable. Act Like a
Driver of a Vehicle.

Older children and adults are
safest riding on the road where the behaviors and responsibilities should
be the same as all vehicle operators.

Always ride with the flow of
traffic, on the right side of the road, and as far to the right of the
road as is practicable and safe. Motorists do not expect to see traffic
coming in the opposite direction or on the sidewalk. When motorists don’t
expect to see you, they may pull across your path or turn into you,
causing a crash.

Ride straight and do not
swerve in a lane or in and out of traffic.

5. Be Visible. See and Be
Seen at All Times.

Always assume you are not seen
by others. Cyclists must take responsibility for being visible

to motorists, pedestrians, and
other cyclists. To enhance your visibility at night and in low visibility
conditions (dawn, dusk, and inclement weather):

Wear neon and fluorescent
colors. Wear special clothing made from reflective materials, for example,
retro-reflective vests, jackets, wristbands, and patches for your back,
legs and arms, and helmet;

Install bicycle reflectors on
both the front and back of your bicycle. If a carrier is added, make sure
the rear reflector is visible. A flashing red light on the rear of the
bicycle, backpack, or helmet will increase your visibility to others: and

Be aware of your State or
local laws regarding use of lights on bicycles. Many States have laws that
require bicyclists to use a white front light at night. Use of lights in
low-visibility conditions is also recommended.

Young children should be
discouraged from riding at night.

6. “Drive” with Care. Share
the Road.

When you ride, consider yourself
the driver of a vehicle and always keep safety in mind.

Choose to ride in the bike
lane, if available. If the roadway or bike lane is wide, ride to the
right; if the lane is narrow, you may choose to ride in the middle of the
lane just like a motorized vehicle.

Take extra precautions when
riding on a roadway. Bicycles are smaller than motor vehicles, and don’t
protect the operator like a motor vehicle. You should:

Make eye contact, smile, or wave to communicate with motorists.
Courtesy and predictability are a key to safe cycling;

Be considerate and aware of motorists and pedestrians. Learn to
anticipate their actions. Remember, pedestrians have the right of way;

Ride far enough away from the curb to avoid the unexpected from
parked cars (i.e. opening doors or drivers pulling out without checking);

Keep control of your bicycle: look behind you while maintaining
your bicycle in a straight path; be able to ride with one hand on the
handlebars and signal a turn. (Practice these skills in a parking lot);

Always look over your shoulder, and if possible, signal before
changing lanes;

Make sure that books, clothes, and other items are securely
attached to the bicycle or carried in a backpack; and

Use bells, horns, or your voice to alert pedestrians and
bicyclists that you are approaching or passing.

7. Stay Focused. Stay Alert.

Never wear headphones; they hinder your ability to hear traffic.

Always look for obstacles in your path (potholes, cracks,
expansion joints, railroad tracks, wet leaves, drainage grates, or anything
that could make you fall). Before going around any object, scan ahead and
behind you for a gap in traffic, signal your intentions to move, then follow
through with your intentions.

Be aware of the traffic around you. Ride defensively.

Use extra care when riding in wet weather, ice, frost, or snow.
Slow your speed and allow extra time and space to stop.

Use extra care when crossing bridges which are extra slippery
under wet conditions.

Use caution when crossing a railroad track; cross tracks at a
90-degree angle and proceed slowly.

Photo courtesy of Bikes Belong

For
more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) Web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov or contact a local bicycle
club or shop.